Admissions

The department of Landscape Architecture focuses on the development of the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to the practice of landscape architecture, with a special emphasis on tropical and sub-tropical landscapes. Our goal is to educate individuals who can serve and lead the community in the enhancement of the quality of life through the aesthetic, meaningful, and sustainable design of the physical environment.

Freshmen applicants, to students with AA degrees, to students who have baccalaureate degrees in any field can enter the Master of Landscape Architecture program.

Freshman: High school students wishing to apply to the accelerated Master of Landscape Architecture program.

Transfer Students: Community College students with AA degrees in Architecture or Landscape Architecture wishing to apply to the Master of Landscape program.

The College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts has a team of dedicated academic advisors, readily available to provide guidance with course selection and keep you on track for an on-time graduation. To make an appointment with an academic advisor, call 305-348-7500.

For students seeking to begin their professional design studies as undergraduates, the Landscape Architecture Department offers the accelerated Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA).

The accelerated Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program provides a seamless course of study leading from undergraduate freshman year to the conferral of the Professional Master of Landscape Architecture degree. This 5-year track is for students wishing to enter the program directly from high school. During the first two years, landscape architecture students complete a Pre-Graduate Foundation in Design curriculum composed of professional core, and of general education course work. Successful students from Pre-Graduate Foundations in Design then matriculate into the final three years of the Accelerated Master of Landscape Architecture program.

Total Undergraduate Credits 73

Total Graduate Degree Credits 84

Total Credits to AccMLA 157

A transition from undergraduate to graduate standing occurs at the end of the fourth year Spring semester after the completion of 120 credits. Students must be in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. A Bachelor’s degree is not awarded at any point in the program.

APPLICATION PROCESS – 2 STEPS

Step 1 – Application to the Master of Landscape Architecture program begins with an online application to FIU’s Admissions Office. admissions.fiu.edu. Please review the Admissions website for all University requirements and deadlines.

*Recommended* Step 2 – In order to strengthen your application, the Landscape Architecture Department recommends that you submit a portfolio of creative work that demonstrates creative abilities as well as visual and written communication skills to the department for review through the Get Acceptd website.

Portfolio content suggestions:

A one-page (maximum) statement outlining the student’s intentions, aspirations and purpose in pursuing a professional degree in Landscape Architecture.

Drawings of a chair or chairs, a drawing of a bicycle or bicycles, and a drawing of shoes or group of shoes.

Applicants who possess an AA degree in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, may also apply for the Master of Landscape Architecture degree program. These students apply to the Master of Landscape Architecture degree and, if accepted, will transfer in at the third year and take 84 credit hours of graduate level course work. Then, they will receive the Master of Landscape Architecture degree. The course of study usually takes three to four years to complete, depending on the track that is selected.

Students who have not completed the Pre-Graduate Foundation courses may not begin the studio sequence until completed. Click here to view the Design pre-requisite courses.

APPLICATION PROCESS – 2 STEPS

Step 1 – Application as a Transfer student to the Master of Landscape Architecture begins with an online application to FIU’s Admissions Office (admissions.fiu.edu). Please review the admissions website for all University requirements and deadlines.

Step 2 – Portfolio of creative work that demonstrates creative abilities as well as visual and written communication skills to the department for review

A portfolio MUST contain:

A one-page (maximum) statement outlining the student’s intentions, aspirations and purpose in pursuing a professional degree in Landscape Architecture.

A copy of your most current transcript.

Selection of your design and or architecture projects produced in studio over the last two years.

A portfolio MAY contain:

Examples of recent art and/or design projects that you have completed on your own or in collaboration with others. (Please explain what your role was in the work.)